RED DIAMOND

Chapter 16 - Fiona

"Wow... just wow! I don't know what else to say but wow!"

Standing before us while we waited for Zhang and Zong before leaving on the search, was the very first ever military grade AI android from Bluebird Tech. The android was red and black, keeping with RD's style. It had no face, except for a friendly smiley face that was markered onto the front of its head in white.

"They said that this was just a prototype, so we're taking it with us to test it out." Harmon explained as he watched Sam and I inspect it almost obsessively.

"I love the smooth and jagged mix for a design!" Sam pointed out.

"The face is adorable, I love it... " I said, laughing, "...I'm really excited to see how it learns though." I walked right up to it, "What's your name?"

The android tilted its head and looked at me, "Hello, I am Echo-one. Did you not see? My name is written right here." And saying this it pointed to it's chestplate where the name had indeed been engraved in a simple white text.

"Whoops, I guess I was just excited!" I said.

"No need to apologize." Echo pointed his finger at me, "What is your name?"

I grinned with pleasure, "My name is, 'oh great one'." I blurted, stifling a laugh.

"Her name is Fiona." Harmon called out. Sing laughed.

"No! Don't listen to him!!" I exclaimed.

Echo tilted his head the other way, "I'm sorry, but he is higher in rank, I have no choice but to listen to him."

"Aww, no fair..." I pouted, glaring at Harmon. He winked and I looked away so that he wouldn't see me grin.

"This is amazing..." Sam said, circling Echo.

The innocent smiley face followed Sam as he walked, "What is amazing?"

"You are! Everything about you is just... wow. Puts my studio to shame." Sam exclaimed.

"Oh, thank you. You are amazing too." Echo replied, and Sam smiled.

"What about me?" I said sarcastically.

Echo looked at me for a moment, "I'm not sure what to say. You did try to lie to me by telling me a false name."

I became suddenly serious at this, afraid of losing this thing's trust as soon as I had met it. "No!! No no no no. That wasn't a lie, that was a- er... a fun title! Like a nickname. Do you know what a nickname is?"

Echo nodded, "I do. Although, it is unusual for someone to give a nickname over their true name on a first impression."

"Good point ... wow this thing is smart. And complicated. Um, do robots accept apologies?"

"I can accept apologies, but only if my commanding officer allows me to." Echo looked at Harmon and I followed suit, putting on a pleading expression.

Harmon smirked, "This got complicated fast. Well ... yeah, you can forgive her."

Sing chuckled and bumped Harmon's arm, "You are all powerful... of course until Zong and Zhang get here."

Echo looked back over at me and extended its arms, catching me off guard as it wrapped it's smooth titanium limbs around me. I let out a squeal as it slowly squeezed me, crushing my lungs, "I accept your apology." It said as it did so.

Harmon and Sing had drawn their guns. Echo looked at them, confused.

Harmon sighed, "Echo, normally one does not hug another unless they have their consent."